Winter frosts are still a threat in Millie’s cold-climate garden but there are some long-season crops that can go in now. Subscribe 🔔 http://ab.co/GA-subscribe
One crop that Millie often has trouble growing in her wet heavy soils is potatoes, so this year she’s trying a new solution.
Filmed on Taungurung Country in Central Vic
🍃Featured plants: 🌿
Potato ‘Nicola’ (Solanum tuberosum cv.)
Oca (Oxalis tuberosa)
Shallot (Allium cepa cv.)
This segment is from Gardening Australia Season 35, Episode 23 titled “Winter: Bedazzling blooms & dreamy daffodils”.
___________________________________________
Gardening Australia is an ABC TV program providing gardening know-how and inspiration. Presented by Australia’s leading horticultural experts, Gardening Australia is a valuable resource to all gardeners through the television program, the magazine, books, DVDs and extensive online content.
Watch more: http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/gardening-australia
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gardeningaustralia
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/gardeningaustralia
Web: http://www.abc.net.au/gardening
___________________________________________
This is an official Australian Broadcasting Corporation YouTube channel. Contributions may be removed if they violate ABC’s Online Conditions of Use http://www.abc.net.au/conditions.htm (Section 3).
13 Comments
I'm reminded of RED Gardens doing an experiment of growing potatoes in different mediums and straw was the worst performing. As mentioned in this video, potatoes are hungry feeders and straw has little in the way of nutrients and moisture holding capabilities. I doubt we'll see a follow video on this method here.
I wish they do a revisit episode, like " here is what we planted back in August 2024, and 3 month later look them go!" Because, when I follow your instructions, everything dies, and that's probably my fault and would be good to see what the pros get at harvest time!
Hi millie 😃
You need your own show Millie. There’s not a lot of Melbourne climate based info & it’s so informative. I always look forward to your segment. 👍
I grow potatoes in big grow bags. Add compost/soil and top with straw as they grow. End of season just dump them out. So no dig!
The first time, I tried gardening, and I wanted to try something I thought would be easy. So potatoes it was, and I tried pots first(failed), then I stumbled on the Ruth Stout method, it seamed so simple just put the potatoes on the ground and cover them with the loose straw(success) so easy. In the third year, I finally had proper garden beds, so I did in the ground with a much better yeald. But this year, we had no frosts at all, so I was able to over winter chillies, tomatoes, and grow potatoes right through the cold.
You are an amazing presenter, Millie. Thank you so much. 🙏🌳
Hey Millie, I've done spuds in straw bales a few times with fair success, but only with determinate varieties like pontiac and kipfler. Nicola are indeterminate, so usually need layered mounding to crop well…. not something you can do easily in straw bales. There's also the problem of excess heat generation when fresh bales get wet and first begin to decompose. I think you might just end up with rotten, steamed potatoes from your project after a couple of sunny days.
I begin my bales 6 weeks before planting and add a little liquid compost to kick-start the composting process. About 2 weeks in, you can see the bales steaming in the cool of the morning. I don't add spuds till internal temperatures have come down to normal again and the straw is starting to look a bit more grey. Let us know how you get on though! Will be interesting to see.
As potatoes begin to flower, snip the blooms off and this results in bigger tubers.
I think It's worth making the distinction between determinate and indeterminate spuds, when youre talking about planting and growing methods.
I thought we had to use approved bird netting?
I thought the reruns were on Chanel 33 sbs on sundays. Does anyone know if it’s just Fridays 7:30pm now?
👍👌